Netball invites former American basketballer

NETBALL Papua New Guinea has scored big by securing former National Basketball League star Eric Bailey for their major fundraising event on June 29.
American Bailey, pictured, now a motivational speaker, will deliver a keynote speech to more than three hundred guests at a gala dinner in Port Moresby.
The former Hobart Devils, Melbourne Tigers and Gold Coast Rollers player has spoken to more than three million people worldwide, drawing on his difficult start growing up in downtown Los Angeles, United States.
He has gone on to be one of the world’s top motivational speakers, leaving audiences driven to change their lives for the better,” Netball PNG said.
He has created a lasting change in the hearts and minds of millions of people and is set to bring his inspirational words to PNG, it said.
“The only thing that matters is what you have in your heart and what you’re prepared to do to ignite a burning desire to succeed,” Bailey said.
“Just because you have been abandoned or rejected by society, an organisation or a relationship, that is no reason why you should let those challenges abandon your own goals, dreams and aspirations.
“If you do, you are missing out on your abundance. If you believe in yourself and want it bad enough, you have to go out and get it yourself.”
At the event, Netball PNG will launch its five-year strategic plan for growth, advancement and sustainability of the sport in the country.
The national team, Pepes, will be announced at the dinner for next month’s Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa.
“Proceeds raised will go towards the implementation of the strategic plan with a strong focus on developing our sport at the provincial, district and village levels,” a Netball PNG statement said.
Netball PNG president Julienne Leka-Maliaki is encouraging corporate friends and stakeholders to attend, saying it will be an excellent opportunity to get behind the largest women’s organisation “given our wide reach and population throughout the country”.
“Netball is a great platform to deliver social and community development messages and programmes. This event is a great opportunity for our corporate friends and development partners to identify potential synergies towards achieving mutual objectives on a shared-value basis,” she said.
“Eric is a real fireball and will have a huge impact on the Papua New Guinean’s who are lucky enough to hear him speak on June 29.
“We hope all of Port Moresby can get behind this event and urge all businesses to send their staff along.”
To join Netball PNG at the event, contact Lawrence Lahari on 70083197 or [email protected].
Limited tables are available for K7,500 at the Gateway Hotel, with all proceeds of the dinner going towards helping develop netball in the country.